A recent article published in the Institute of Physics publication “Physics World” takes a look at the enabling role that quadrupole mass spectrometers known as residual gas analysers (RGAs) play in in large-scale research facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden, and the ITER nuclear fusion reactor in France. These instruments effectively “police” the UHV/XHV environment at a granular level – ensuring safe and reliable operation of large-scale research facilities by monitoring vacuum quality (detecting impurities at the sub-ppm level), providing in-situ leak detection and checking the integrity of vacuum seals and feed-throughs.
The article features contributions from Sophie Meunier, senior vacuum engineer with responsibility for RGA technologies at CERN, and from Peter Hatton of Hiden Analytical who are one of the leading suppliers of RGAs to the big-science community.
Hiden Analytical’s RGAs (centre) provide essential vacuum diagnostics for conditioning the UHV beam lines of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a section of which is shown above. (Courtesy: Eric Page/CERN)
For more information about RGA’s or any Hiden Analytical instrument then do not hesitate to contact us.
